Telecommunications security reforms now here

The Telecommunications and Other Legislation Amendment Act 2017 (Act), setting out the Government's telecommunications sector security reforms, has now passed both Houses of Parliament and received Royal Assent on 18 September 2017. The reforms in the Act will be implemented over a 12 month period. Telecommunications companies need to work quickly to ensure they are ready for the new rules.

History of the legislation

The purpose of the new legislation is to enhance the security of critical telecommunications infrastructure. This will require telecommunications companies to take into account a range of security risk factors when making investment decisions to protect broader national security interests (that is, espionage, sabotage and foreign interference).